Lauren and I met about 10 years ago when we both worked at a public affairs firm in Santa Barbara. It was my first job out of college, and Lauren and I quickly became friends and bonded over our shared love of literature. She moved to Auckland, New Zealand seven years ago, but we still keep in touch, and I was so excited when she wanted to put together a literary city guide for the city she now calls home.

Auckland has a lot to offer a literary traveler, including a bookstore with 18th century maps for viewing, and one steps from the beach in Auckland's North Shore. There's a 30-year-old poetry reading that takes place every Tuesday, and any kind of food you're craving can easily be found (like Turkish kebabs and Bangkok street food).